You Are Good Even When You Are Unemployed.

Reflection, c. 2020 Daniel F. Gerhartz (American, born 1965)

ACOTAR if the books were written from Tamlin's perspective

Exploring the nuance that the fandom often overlooks.

The ACOTAR series is told in first-person perspective. Although this allows us insight into the inner workings of certain character's minds, it also means that these accounts can be biased, or lacking nuance. To this day, Tamlin's perspective has not been shared, and I want to attempt to do that.

Please note that although the books were predominately told from Feyre's viewpoint, it doesn't mean that her thoughts and feelings are invalid. I am also not condoning Tamlin's actions (explaining ≠ excusing). These are fictional books; breaking them down and considering different angles is of great merit - even if you don't personally agree.

The story of Tamlin; how it all started.

Tamlin grew up in an extremely violent and abusive household - the extent of which largely remains unknown to the readers. We do know that his parents did not love each other, and that his father and two older brothers were canonically worse than Lucien's (and we know how bad they are).

Tamlin's father was even friends with the King of Hybern and Amarantha; two of the most insidious individuals in Prythian. In fact, Tamlin's father would regularly drag him along to visit them. It was during these visits that Amarantha grew to desire Tamlin, presumably when he was still rather young.

Amarantha then continued to sexually harass Tamlin for centuries. As readers, we do not know exactly what Amarantha did to Tamlin during that time; he is yet to open up about it.

An unlikely ruler.

Tamlin never wanted to rule the Spring Court. He stated that if he did, his brothers would have killed him "before he could reach adolescence." As a result, his only choice was to join the brutality of the army.

Instead, what Tamlin actually wanted was to become a travelling musician, spending his days playing the fiddle.

However, when Tamlin's entire family was (justifiably) murdered by Rhys and his father, he was forced into the role of High Lord of the Spring Court. Unlike Rhys, Tamlin had no friends or Inner Circle to help him, or to offer him support.

Although Tamlin rightfully shares the blame in what happened to Rhys's family, we still never received his version of events. Many have theorised that Tamlin was tortured by his brothers and father for the information about Rhys's family (as at this point, Tamlin and Rhys were best friends); I believe this to be likely.

Whatever the circumstances, one thing was now clear - Tamlin was entirely alone.

A reign ravaged by Amarantha.

Despite the circumstances, Tamlin does his best to rule the Spring Court. Although he is still largely inexperienced, he is vigilant about not following in the footsteps of his abusive father and brothers.

However, his efforts are halted when Amarantha, the woman who has relentlessly sexually and romantically pursued him for years, curses his entire court, and turns his heart to stone. Tamlin is forced to watch all of his companions and court advisors either die, or suffer tremendously, as a result of the curse.

Despite this, Tamlin does what he can for his people - even those outside of his court; offering shelter and employment to countless refugees.

In fact, when one of Tamlin's civilians was killed by Amarantha, he carried the faerie in his arms and into the gardens. He then buried the faerie with his own hands; "a High Lord, digging a grave for a stranger."

Meeting Feyre; the beginning of the end.

By chance or fate, Tamlin met Feyre Archeron. She was the first person he had ever loved in 500 years - the only one to make him feel "less alone."

Tamlin brought Feyre's family out of poverty and healed her father's leg. He rebuilt the art gallery for her. He was the first person to recognise the sacrifices she had made for her family. Most of all, Tamlin fell in love with Feyre in her human form - exactly as she was, with no mating bond to biologically pull her to him.

Prior to the events of Under the Mountain, Tamlin tells Feyre that he is "not her jailor." He tells her that she doesn't need a "keeper," as he kneels before her, and dedicates a song on his fiddle to her.

So, what changed?

Under the Mountain.

Amarantha happened.

Tamlin was forced to witness the woman he loved be brutalised and tortured. Knowing Amarantha was in love with him, Tamlin is powerless to help Feyre; to make his feelings known, means instant death for her. It is why Tamlin gets on his knees and begs Rhys to keep Feyre's identity a secret.

However, Feyre is ultimately killed. She was only brought into this situation because of Tamlin; he is riddled with guilt and despair.

Yet, by some miracle, Feyre is resurrected. Tamlin now has the chance to protect Feyre, to save her, in all the ways he was unable to before.

However, he goes overboard. He becomes possessive and controlling. Despite promising Feyre that he was not her "jailor," he locks her in the manor. He shuts Feyre out. The trauma only festers - for both of them.

Tamlin's behaviour was abusive. Feyre had every right to leave, and she was far better off for it.

Readers react (but, is it fair?)

It is for the above reason that Tamlin is one of the most hated ACOTAR characters. That hatred is justified.

But, where is that same hatred for all other SJM characters who behaved just as badly as Tamlin? Or, those who behaved even worse?

Rhys is still the character who:

Drugged Feyre and made her dance provocatively Under the Mountain (until she threw up). Rhys later admits he did this in part to make Tamlin jealous.

Twisted Feyre's broken arm to enforce consent.

Kept a 24/7 shield around her (the same sort of action Tamlin is criticised for...).

Refused to tell Feyre that her pregnancy would likely be fatal (despite their 'no secrets' promise); stripping her of the autonomy to make decisions over her own body.

Then, threatened to kill Nesta when she revealed this information.

And I hear you - "Rhys was just trying to protect Feyre!" Yet, wasn't that Tamlin's motive too?

This double standard exists for most other SJM characters:

[TOG Spoilers] Rowan, one of the most powerful fae warriors to ever exist, punches Aelin, a 19 year old who is newly discovering her fae abilities, so hard in the face that she hits a wall and bleeds. He then tells her that she should have "died long ago". Tamlin never directly laid his hands on Feyre. Yet, Rowan does, and his behaviour is always excused (and even romanticised). What's more, is that his relationship with Aelin is one of the most highly regarded.

[TOG Spoilers] We then have Manon who committed literal mass genocide for centuries (and delighted in it), even killing her own sister in the process.

There's Azriel who has a twisted affinity for torturing people.

Nesta who was verbally and emotionally abusive towards Feyre throughout their childhood.

Don't get me wrong, I love all of these characters. They are nuanced, morally grey individuals; this complexity is what makes SJM books so great.

Yet, why does this same nuance rarely exist for Tamlin?

Considering the events from Tamlin's perspective.

Readers criticise Tamlin for collaborating with Hybern to 'get Feyre back.' However, from Tamlin's perspective, Rhys was the person who willingly served Amarantha for the past 50 years. Tamlin also believed Rhys's facade that he was the insidious dictator of the infamously cruel Night Court. What's more, Tamlin is also aware of Rhys's mind control powers. So, when he receives a vague letter from Feyre (who as far as he knows, couldn't read and write), of course he is suspicious.

Tamlin truly believes that Rhys has kidnapped Feyre, and that she is in danger. In order to rescue her, Tamlin pretends to work with Hybern. He jeopardises the safety of his civilians, puts his entire court at risk - all to save the woman he loves.

If Rhys sacrificed the Night Court to save Feyre, we would deem it an act of true love. So, why do we condemn Tamlin?

What's more, both readers and characters blame Tamlin for the King of Hybern's actions; that Elain and Nesta went into the Cauldron because of him.

However, as soon as Tamlin realised Hybern's true plans, he blew his cover in an attempt to stop the King. He was the ONLY character who lunged for Hybern in an attempt to save Elain (whilst everyone else stood there in shock).

Shortly after, Tamlin realises that Feyre left him willingly. That she is with Rhys, and they are mates. Then, Lucien, Tamlin's only friend, leaves for the Night Court too.

To top it all off, in an act of revenge, Feyre orchestrates for the downfall of the Spring Court - an action that risks the lives of countless innocent civilians. As a result, Tamlin now has no one. No court.

Tamlin has nothing left.

Tamlin's choice.

If we are all being honest with ourselves, most people in Tamlin's position would feel immense resentment. Many would resort to revenge, just as Feyre did. However, Tamlin never takes this path - he never gives in to the hatred and bitterness that could so easily consume him. He chooses otherwise.

Not only did he turn the tide in the war, saving Feyre and Elain's life;

Not only did he resurrect Rhys - the man who took so much from him;

But above all else, he wished for Feyre to "be happy."

Yet, despite all of this, although most other characters got their happily ever after, Tamlin now roams around the decimated Spring Court. He stays in his beast form, as if he doesn't even feel worthy of being fae - of his humanity. Tamlin is depressed, and very alone. He has always been alone.

To me, his character can be summarised by this quote;

"I sat with my anger long enough, until he told me his real name was grief."

Tamlin's redemption.

Some believe that Tamlin deserves no redemption. That instead, he is better off dead. However, I think that sends a rather grim message to the myriad of people who suffer in the same way that Tamlin does.

To those who externalise their pain, rather than internalise it. To those who were never shown love as a child, and therefore struggle to display it as an adult. To those who were hurt by the people they trusted most, so they hurt others in return. To those who still hold onto guilt over their past. To those who try to be a better person, but still feel like a failure deep down.

That doesn't mean that Tamlin's past actions should be excused, or even forgiven, But, just like every other character, it does mean he should have the chance to heal.

In her most recent interview, SJM says it herself; that no character is doomed to be an "asshole" forever, and that any day you could choose to wake up and be a better person - to live a better life.

A fairytale ending.

Ultimately, ACOTAR was inspired by Beauty and the Beast, and Tamlin is the perfect personification of the Beast. Not just for his shapeshifting form, as we came to believe in the first book. But rather, just as the Beast in the fairytale was a man haunted by his past mistakes, so too is Tamlin.

Yet, as the tale goes, the Beast's once hardened exterior begins to melt away, and he is able to look towards the world with kindness. To love again. To love himself. When this happened, the enchanted rose came back to life.

I believe this foreshadows what will occur with Tamlin in future books. As he begins to heal, to find his place in the world, he will blossom.

And, so too will the Spring Court gardens around him - vibrant again, once more.

Someone needs to set Mor straight, I swear🥴

Dark fire simmered in Morrigan’s eyes. “I knew plenty of people like you once.” Her hand drifted to her abdomen. “You never deserve the benefit of the doubt that good people like him give you.”

Nesta was well aware of that. And knew what manner of people Morrigan referred to—those who dwelled in the Court of Nightmares in the Hewn City.

I mean, I understand the dislike towards Nesta due to being Feyre's apparent "best friend". But implying that Nesta is equal to people who literally abused her?

Trying to say that Nesta is the same type of person like Keir?

Nesta has done absolutely nothing that is equal to Keir's actions and Mor knows it.

ugly crying over the fact that i don’t have any more bagels for breakfast

You don’t own fanfics. They’re inherently public domain because they aren’t your IP. Agree or disagree with AI, there are no grounds for “protection” from AI because it isn’t your IP to begin with. That’s what you chose when you chose this medium

Oh dear.

Okay, you get an answer, because at least you took the effort to write your ask out properly, even if you are hiding behind the grey, sunglassed circle.

Do I, or any fanfic author for that matter, have any legal claims to our work? No, not really, no. (Although if someone took a fic, filed off the serial number--deleted the fandom specific elements--, and then had it published for financial gain, yeah, that would be a case.)

BUT

Fandoms are built on a social contract that says we respect each others work, the effort people put into their art. We don't steal or disrespect the work of our peers. By feeding people's fanworks to AI you both steal and disprect it, and we need to make people realize that before it's too late--before fandom falls apart, because there will be no more real, actual fanworks.

Disrepectfully,

Orlissa

(i can't believe I have to say this)

and then to argue, after alllllll of the moments we see cassian exert power of nesta THAT NESTA is the abusive one in that dynamic?????? where? so -- nesta -- the woman who (1) repeatedly asked for cassian to leave her alone (2) who kneed him in the balls bc he was trying to lick her neck (3) who followed her home when she asked him NOT too, (4) was locked in a house and had everything down to the food she ate and the clothes she wore picked out by HIM. (5) was attracted to that beast of a man bc of a mating bond that HE ALREADY KNEW ABOUT and was then locked in a house with this man with those emotions she cannot control

THAT IS THE ABUSIVE ONE???

the woman who literally tried for months to get away from this man, going so far as to live across town and cut contact with him.

but somehow she's being abusive when she's told multiple times she not interested in him, in the fae world???? insanity.

like if u want to make those arguments abt feyre and her sisters having a bad relationship. go ahead, thats your place

but to argue this abt nesta and cassian, to even imply NESTA as the aggressor is crazy and i think yall are losing it here.

I didn't want to hijack some poor innocent's fashion post of Nicola Coughlan to explain this. But listennn, I know she is not a perfect canon cast or whatever. But the vibe is Elain Archeron. The vibe is Elain and the girls that get it get it.

I’m pretty deep in the autumn court rabbit hole so I wanted to share a few things I’ve noticed/decided on that will be included or part of Exile (which is having a name change but it’s what we’re working with atm):

The Autumn Court is likely culturally European (more specifically it is an amalgamation of Britain and France).

Why? Of all the people we know from The Autumn Court (Beron, Eris and Lucien), two out of three of those names are French and additionally Beron is also from the Old English word Baron.

Then the name Vanserra is made up of ‘Van’ and ‘Serra’.

‘Van’ can be both a given name and a Dutch prefix, ‘Van’ is a Dutch prefix meaning ‘of’ or ‘from’.

‘Van’ as a given name is derived from the English surname ‘Vance’ meaning ‘marshland’.

‘Serra’ is derived from the Latin word for ‘saw’, and later Italian.

The naming traditions in Autumn are ultimately rooted in Latin origin; as are both the French and English languages. Both are heavily reliant on Latin as the origins of the majority of their words.

Therefore culturally, I believe Autumn has a very distinct European feel (think the English and French Courts circa 1500-1600)

In terms of politics and court relations.

Aesthetically I think Autumn is once again the union of French baroque/rococo and English country manor.

Lots of greenery and sprawling gardens; jewel tones with architecture inspired by Versailles and the French Courts.

Fashion I think Autumn would favour heavier and more modest dresses that The Night Court to both accommodate the colder weather and the ceremony of court life.

Lots of Autumnal tones and colours, damask fabrics and intricate needlework.

The men all wear beautiful tunics and robes that are a mix between Tudor style doublets and the long coats of the Rococo era. & lots of riding boots.

Of course at the timeline of the acotar series Autumn still worship The Mother and the creation story involving the cauldron.

But there are those in Autumn that still worship the Old Gods or the First Gods, primordial spirits of the forest and land.

Distinctly Pagan vibes; heavily inspired by Celtic paganism & the festivals celebrated by the Romans (these two things might seem very different but share a lot in common)

Even though these Old Gods are not worshipped widely anymore in Autumn, their festivals are still a large part of the culture and way of life in Autumn.

The celebrate the equinox, solstices, and special holidays that honour specific stages of the life cycle/seasons (they celebrate, the spring, the harvest, the winter solstice, the summer solstice, and then festivals to honour the gods of the forests, and hunting goddesses)

All very nature focused and giving thanks for all the earth provides.

A lot of these festivals and the rituals performed during them is a celebration and a time to give back to the earth.

Lots of campfires and ritual dances, oracles and prophecy.

& drinking!

Oh before I forget! The Vanserra motto is ‘vulpes pilum mutat, non mores’ meaning ‘a fox may change its skin but never it’s character’

Eris’ own personal motto is ‘le tiemps viendra’ which translates to ‘the time will come’.

Lil Anne Boleyn reference there for you guys

But seriously he’s just waiting for his dad to die, or be killed.

The seven Vanserra brothers are all named; Eris, Torian, Aurin, Leon, Julien, Adrien and Lucien.

matthew daddario as alec lightwood is the only fc for azriel i will not be taking any criticism